The Laney Report: Reba is country’s top-selling female artist

Wednesday

Friday night, a true country music legend and Country Music Hall of Fame member will headline a huge concert at Mohegan Sun.

Reba McEntire also has the distinction of being the best-selling female country artist of all time.

She’s had 40 number one songs and sold more than 80 million records. She has won 15 American Music Awards; 13 ACM Awards; 9 People’s Choice Awards; 7 CMA Awards; 2 Grammys; an ACM Career Achievement Honor; and is one of only four entertainers in history to receive the National Artistic Achievement Award from the U.S. Congress.

Reba is certainly one of the hardest-working stars of country music. She has starred in two different TV series (“Reba” and “Malibu Country”) and did a stint on Broadway as the star of “Annie Get Your Gun.” She has also starred in more than a dozen movies.

McEntire surprised many fans when she recently released a brand-new song via her website and Facebook page titled “Pray for Peace.” This song was one of the few McEntire has written herself and the subject matter is very appropriate for the world we live in today.

“Pray for Peace” is her first release since the 2010 “All the Women I Am” disc, which featured the number one hit “Turn On the Radio.” Both the song and the video for “Pray For Peace” are available for free download at McEntire’s website, Reba.com.

McEntire was born in McAlester, Okla., in 1955. She grew up learning to sing and play music while performing at local rodeos. She formed a family band called The Singing McEntires with her brother Pake and sister Susie.

In 1974, Reba sang the national anthem at the National Rodeo Finals in Oklahoma City. Country singer Red Steagall was in the audience, heard her and took her under his wing, helping her get a recording contract with Mercury records.

In 1977, she almost missed her Grand Ol Opry debut when someone forgot to put her name on the list of performers. Her time was cut from two songs to one when Dolly Parton made a surprise guest appearance.

Opening for Reba tomorrow night is a 16-year-old singing phenom by the name of Caroline Cole, who has been on Reba’s tour for the past two years and is managed by Reba’s husband, Narvel Blackstock.

Tickets for the concert are still available at Mohegansun.com and Ticketmaster. Tickets range from $60 to $80 — and they are a little cheaper at the Mohegan Sun Box office.

Country tidbits

Carrie Underwood and the Zac Brown Band are among the artists who’ll take part in an all-star Veterans Day Concert for Valor honoring the courage and sacrifice of our servicemen and women. Hosted by Tom Hanks, the Nov. 11 event will be held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and telecast live by HBO.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.